The confirmation of Rhoda Gumus as a national commissioner (south-south) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stirred controversy. The nominee from Bayelsa state was previously accused of being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A petition from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) dated January 26, addressed to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, alleged that Gumus is a card-carrying member of the ruling party. The petition contained documents that purportedly supported these claims.
However, during the plenary on Wednesday, February 2, Kabir Gaya, the chairman of the INEC committee, revealed that no petition against Gumus was received. He mentioned that the committee only received a petition in regard to Major-General Alkali and dismissed the allegations against Gumus as they were not formally submitted.
Furthermore, the elders from Taraba state had expressed their desire for the north-east position to go to Taraba, but the committee members dismissed this request, stating that the president has the prerogative to appoint a nominee from any state in the north-east.
In addition to Gumus, other nominees confirmed as national commissioners for INEC are Mohammed Haruna (north-central), May Agbamuche-Mbu (south-south), Ukeagu Nnamdi (south-east), and Sam Olumekum (south-west).